New industry project to help build world’s first practical quantum computer

Xanadu is working with researchers at the Impact Centre and the University of Toronto to help create the world’s first practical quantum computer.

Instead of using electrons to carry quantum information and perform calculations, Xanadu’s technology uses photons, the elementary particle of light. Unlike electrons, photons are very stable and enable extremely fast computation. These new processors have the potential to accelerate R&D in chemistry, further our understanding of the world around us, and make emerging artificial intelligence applications more powerful.

In order to use light as the core of its calculations, Xanadu needs a light source specifically designed for quantum computing. This challenge is the core of a new collaborative project between Xanadu and the University of Toronto, facilitated by the Impact Centre and funded by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).

“Building connections with academic researchers is vital for the success of our company’s efforts in quantum photonic R&D,” says Zachary Vernon, an expert in quantum optics at Xanadu. “The Impact Centre has been extremely helpful in facilitating such collaboration with researchers at the University of Toronto.”

The project will draw on the University’s expertise in the design of high-performance nonlinear optical devices, while Xanadu has the necessary resources and expertise to fabricate, test, and deploy quantum information processing devices, and an understanding of the practical market needs of these high-tech solutions.

Through this collaboration, the company expects to lower the cost of quantum computing solutions, opening this important new area of technology to a wider range of customers.

The Impact Centre connects innovative businesses with the technical and scientific expertise at the University of Toronto. This collaboration with Xanadu builds on Toronto’s strong optics expertise and is an example of the work being done to develop a quantum technologies network.